Mantis and the dragonfly

This took place on a stretch of fencing just behind the cabin at a friend's ranch near Lake Berryessa, CA. We were just kicking back during a week of Dove and Deeer hunting, sharing a hot afternoon with a few cool ones. The mantis started stalking the perched dragonfly from about three feet between each other. We were all sitting about eight feet away watching the mantis slowly creep up on it's prey for about ten minutes, all of which I thought the dragon fly would spook and fly off. It wasn't until the capture that I went and got my camera so not to interfere with the hunt in progress. The mantis ate the whole dragonfly less the wings that were bitten off and drifted down to the ground for the ants to feed on.

Re: Mantis and the dragonfly

Re: Mantis and the dragonfly

I've seen a few over the summer. If they're out in the open I'll move them to a tree where a bird isn't likely to see them. It's interesting to pick one up. Move your hand slowly close to it and watch it swivel its head to see what's happening. They'll slowly walk up on your hand. Never had one try to bite. They do look ferocious for an insect.

Any person is entitled to their own opinion, but not to their own facts and outcomes. So one may believe as they will, but will be held accountable by the numbers for their beliefs. At the end of the day, life is a school of probability. Jesse via Jesse's Cafe Americain